Ajmer Dargah Khwaja Sufi Qawwali Music Rajasthan

The Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer is the most visited Sufi shrine in South Asia, attracting over 2 million pilgrims annually from all faiths for the Urs (death anniversary) festival. The dargah is the living centre of the Chishti Sufi qawwali music tradition — devotional music performed by hereditary qawwal families who have performed at the dargah for 15-18 generations. Qawwali performances use harmonium, tabla, and dholak accompaniment with call-and-response group singing that can continue for 3-5 hours in the state of mystical intoxication (hal). Cooperative qawwal guilds associated with the Ajmer Dargah Mahfil coordinate performance schedules and training for younger family members. Ajmer qawwali recordings have been popularised internationally through artists including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and A.R. Rahman collaborations. The Ajmer Sharif Urs is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage expression.